OT: Apple Mac user - BSOD often?

chewkw, I would check your memory is on the qualified vendor list (QVL) for your motherboard. When I built my current PC, I suffered from regular BSODs and realised my mem wasnt on the list for my model. Changed it and havent had a BSOD since (2years, on 24x7)

chewkw, I would check your memory is on the qualified vendor list (QVL) for your motherboard. When I built my current PC, I suffered from regular BSODs and realised my mem wasnt on the list for my model. Changed it and havent had a BSOD since (2years, on 24x7)

Yes, before I bought the MOBO I check for compatibility.
Mine is Corsair CMX ... which is on the list.

As I am typing this my system hang ...

I thought I have solved the problem but looks like I have not.

p/s: the system hang is caused by MBAM just now so I had to reboot ... arrghhh ...

My iMac used to hang constantly. Apparently they shipped that particular iteration with a shonky OS that was completely incompatible with all the printer and scanner drivers of the time, and it had to be extensively tweaked through the extensions manager to make it even remotely usable. Made it more stable, but still a bit ropey. I've genuinely had more crashes and hangs on that one iMac than on all the PCs I've used ever since combined. :/

p/s: the system hang is caused by MBAM just now so I had to reboot ... arrghhh ...

I'd uninstall it, even if it's just temporarily as a troubleshooting step, see if that cures your problem. Then, go back to MBAM for support on the software you've paid for, or pursue a refund.

You said you'd run scans, but that might be for naught if your AV is SNAFUed by an infection. That's why I suggested an online scanner.

Thanks Cougar for your advice. Highly appreciated.

Yes, just did an Online scan as advised.
It crashed half way through the 1st scan with BSOD ... surprise, surprise.
I then tried it again in SafeMode with Network and downloaded latest definition and this time it managed to scan. Found two: Win32/Bundled.Toolbar.Ask Application, but nothing serious as I did not even installed one of them. So deleted them. The Toolbar.Ask is harmless. Apart from that nothing else is found.

After that I check the Event Viewer to see what cause the BSOD with Online Scan ... lo and behold! ... it conflicted with other Anti-software I have real-time.

I am keeping MBAM but I think I will not enable the Real-Time protection (I do have the paid Pro version too by the way) to see how it goes ... arrgghh ... the Real-Time protection trial is going to end in 3 days.

I have a feeling that I will see Mac Mini on my desk in few weeks time ... arrghhh ... but will still keep messing with this one.

I am really fed up with all those virus/malware and anti-software that I need to install with Microsoft. Well, if there is no conflict I will stick with Microsoft but for now a major headache.

It's common knowledge that MSE and MBAM play well together; however, in hindsight I wonder if that's just in relation to the free version.

Generally, AV products can't co-exist, as you've got two pieces of software trying to do the same thing. You can end up with race conditions where one quarantines a file, the second quarantines the quarantined file, the first re-quarantines the file back again and so on until your PC dies on its arse. </oversimplification>

Logically then, that's the case here. You've got two pieces of software both trying to do real-time scanning. I don't know if this is actually true or not as I'm making it up, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that if you were to remove MSE then your problem would go away.

(And of course, disabling the real-time MBAM component would do the same thing, but that's not really the point I'm making...)

It's common knowledge that MSE and MBAM play well together; however, in hindsight I wonder if that's just in relation to the free version.

Yes, most people talk about the free version without real time protection so no conflict there. But then there are many that also say no conflict using both ... arrghhh ... I know one is Anti-virus while the other is Anti-malware doing different things. Some even suggested that even when they are different they do overlap each other at times. arrgghhh ... Bloody software.

Generally, AV products can't co-exist, as you've got two pieces of software trying to do the same thing. You can end up with race conditions where one quarantines a file, the second quarantines the quarantined file, the first re-quarantines the file back again and so on until your PC dies on its arse. </oversimplification>

Yes, that make sense but then I never seen anything be quarantined which is odd ...

Logically then, that's the case here. You've got two pieces of software both trying to do real-time scanning. I don't know if this is actually true or not as I'm making it up, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that if you were to remove MSE then your problem would go away.

Yes, both real-time so I am planning to disable MSE real-time protection rather than MBAM. I cannot remove MSE because Windows Defender will appear in it's place and the problem will continue.

(And of course, disabling the real-time MBAM component would do the same thing, but that's not really the point I'm making...)

I prefer the real-time protection of MBAM more than MSE, so will disable the MSE realtime protection to see how it goes.

SMART is Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology and allows you to tell if your hard drive is about to fail. It is not infallible, but an extended test can be run for free by several programs. It's worth checking as failing hard drives can load or save corrupt data and bugger the PC up. Usually you'll find it just hangs as the drive as the drive fails to read a sector and the PC waits for that 'till you loose patience and restart.

However, sometimes other funny issues pop up with a failing HDD so it's worth running a test even if only to rule it out.

Try this in Windows. Download and install Speedfan then head over to the SMART tab and run extended tests on your drive(s). I usually also read the report, which is where it sends the test data to a website which gives you a more intelligible interpretation of the jargon returned. If nothing fails, I wouldn't get worried about it, but it might show up your problem. You can also use it to monitor and graph your various sensor temps*.

It's the same with Memtest+ - you need to eliminate things at this point.

If it's neither of these I'd be guessing PSU as next most likely.

*Some mobo temps may be higher than you expect, my EX58 board has the chipset up to 80. Well it did 'till I removed the stupid decorative sticker that covered most it. Thanks Gigabyte, really well thought out.